The ADHD Strain: How Relationships Collapse Under the Weight of ADD

Our loved ones with ADHD are vibrant, creative, and generous. They push us outside our comfort zones, and remind us to laugh. Sometimes, their ADHD symptoms also make them harder to love. Here, real-life couples share their biggest ADD-related relationship challenges and frustrations.

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The ADD Effect on Relationships

ADHD is not the kiss of death. The condition, alone, can’t make or break a romantic relationship. But, if symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) are not properly acknowledged, treated, and accepted, they can — and often do — create or exacerbate marital tensions.

Knowing this, we asked more than 1,200 partners, both with and without ADHD, to name the condition biggest strain on their long-term relationships. With answers ranging from distractibility to feelings of shame, we found criticism — and a need for understanding — on both sides. Here’s what respondents said, in their own words.

From the ADHD Side: His or Her Lack of Empathy

“I need her to understand me a lot more — my anxiety, ADHD, etc. She doesn't listen to me.”

“I think the hardest challenge in my relationship is that my partner still doesn't understand who I am — and she still doesn't understand that I'm not doing these things on purpose.”

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From the Non-ADHD Perspective: My Feeling of Neglect

“I like quality time together, so it's hard on me when my partner ‘disappears.’ It’s important for me that we reconnect at the end of each day — but he's not available because he's lost in his latest project.”

“I really want his time and attention, but it is difficult for him to sit and relax. Projects seem more important than our relationship at times. It is hard not to take it personally.”

“I don’t feel important. I don’t feel like I get any help. I have to do a lot to keep everything together.”

From the ADHD Side: My Distractibility and Diverted Attention

“My biggest challenge is being more considerate of my wife — her presence, her needs, her challenges. Usually, I'm in wonderland.”

“I get distracted when my husband and I talk. He says that I interrupt, and that he cannot always tell if I'm paying attention.”

“I am continually forgetting details or events because I'm not fully paying attention. This can be incredibly frustrating for both of us — but especially for my partner.”

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From the Non-ADHD Side: His or Her Time Management

“She can easily lose track of time. She can also have trouble adjusting as plans change or if things go differently than she was expecting.”

“I struggle with his total unawareness of the passage of time or what time it is — he runs late to a lot of things, and I am an on-time sort of person.”

“My partner struggles with waking up on time, getting to work on time, and leaving work when she says she will.”

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From the ADHD Side: My Extreme Emotions

“I lash out sometimes when my emotions become intense.”

“I have a shorter fuse and am constantly trying to be understood — plus I’m always catching up on stuff and feeling harried.”

“I can become frustrated and angry quickly — it’s very hard to deal with everyday challenges when your response is so extreme.”

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From the Non-ADHD Side: His or Her Forgetfulness

“He forgets to do things, and then when I finally get fed up and do them myself, he gets mad — saying, ‘I was going to do that!’”

“If I don't have him write down an event, a reminder, etc. on his calendar (now on his smartphone — yay!), it just doesn't happen. It's like I never said anything.”

“He rarely completes all the steps of a task before zoning out. For example, he will put the plates on the table, but forget to put the silverware out as well. Doing the dishes, he will leave several behind — seemingly unaware that they’re there.”

7 Related Links

It’s good to see both sides. But is it just me that has trouble finding thoughts and feelings shared by the non-ADHD spouse/partner of a woman with ADHD? As the latter I’ve combed through various articles and forums looking for advice and relatable stories. But I usually find women without ADHD sharing their frustrations about their ADHD husband. I hope to see more of the reverse in time as ADHA awareness and acceptance grows.

I’m the female with ADHD in mine… I found most of what I read in other’s comments to ring true. Especially the hording, paper pile ups, the seeming disinterest my husband feels when I can’t seem to sit still or focus on us, especially around physical intimacy. The self centeredness & talking about my own stuff (though he says usually he doesn’t care, Since he doesn’t typically like to share his own). My extreme emotions, especially frustration, I’m just NOW seeing as an ADHD thing! So neither of us saw it as that…

I plan to discuss with my non ADHD male partner… I can let you know what he says… He likely won’t take the time to share here, but is typically brutally honest with me when I genuinely request it as such.

I agree, I have been searching for information on women with ADD in a relationship. I am 50 year old woman and going through a divorce. In the aftermath I just found out about my ADD (inattentive) and am deeply sad to realize how it impacted my relationship, my whole life actually. I was being treated for depression, I had no idea but now everything makes sense. It’s like having to rewrite my history. I need information on women with ADD.
ADD and women

I have been married 19 years. My husband has probably had adhd all his life but became a big issue after our marriage.He hyperfocuses on things and im a disposable value to him.I have brought up the adhd probability and he brushed me off saying Im the one to see a doctor. He blurts out anything he wants without knowing it hurts. He respinds angrily to the silliest things andd has no empathy towards me or others. Im crying at the moment bcs he just had a big argument with me about limiting me access to the car and others……Refuses to take any responsibility…Im despaired.

One of the things you said sent up a red flag, and I had to reply. I don’t know the circumstances, but when you said he wants to limit your access to the car and others (I don’t know what the others part is), that shows that he’s being controlling. It borders on emotional abuse. Please make sure that this is not happening. If you need help, please get help, or get out.

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